Hello and welcome to another edition of Offside. First, Spain faced Portugal in the Iberian derby, while Belgium won the world title by ensuring the USA would not be red-carded as they beat their hosts 4-1.There is a saying that old age is like childhood, and Ronaldo’s role as a prima-donna at the end reflects his younger days: a naughty son who can’t stop crying. It’s a solid watch, especially for those of us who’ve followed his career and seen him go from a fun-loving youngster to a speedy winger to a machine who’s become an expert on the box.With age, Ronaldo’s power has declined to the point where he remains a threat, but even that was not present at this World Cup. His great leaping, sharp finishing and ability to take half chances all left the man in his final days. And it annoys him a little that his arch-rival, who is two years younger, seems to have found the fountain of youth.Perhaps the fans wanted a final showdown between Ronaldo and his greatest rival, but instead it ended with Merino, not Messi. Merino is the type of player who can be called the John O’Shea Phenomenon: a player who is not good at one position but can give you 8/10 performance in different positions. During the Premier League season, he scored four times in the absence of Viktor Gyokeres, but missed the competition with a broken foot in the 3-2 defeat against Man Utd. Merino didn’t think he would be at the World Cup, but he was there to write the last footnote in the former GOAT’s career.
It wasn’t the most beautiful game, but Spain got through. Ironically, Spain have not conceded a goal in this World Cup, and look like a threat to other teams, given the strength of the Spanish bench and their ability to call on players like Ferran Torres and Merino to decide the game. That Ronaldo could no longer cut it was obvious to anyone not named Piers Morgan or iShowSpeed.His World Cup and football can be summed up in two pictures: shooting eyes in 2006 and crying in 2026. The first is him staring carelessly at the 2006 World Cup after Wayne Rooney stepped on Ricardo Carvalho’s family tree. After that, the problems he faced in the Premier League created a monster that would dominate world football and, although he did not have the skills of Messi, he competed with him at the highest level. The second is Ronaldo at the 2026 World Cup, crying after being kicked out, an albatross around the neck of a generation of Portuguese talent who did not have the chance to tell the legend of their country that he has become an albatross around their neck.
Belgium’s Youri Tielemans (8) reacts after Belgium won the World Cup round of 16 match against the United States in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Speaking of albatross around the neck, Belgium received international acclaim after handing Team USA a 4-1 victory. The players angered football fans around the world after Donald Trump used what KBC fans call dial-a-friend to overturn Balogun’s red card. Ironically, this was the first time that a leader of a liberal state had committed fraud that benefited his country and not his own person, but it meant that, overnight, the USA was scorned around the world, usually reserved for the English team.Belgium looks like nothing in this World Cup at the moment, but a change of red cards seems to be starting the team. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice and provided an assist, while Romelu Lukaku added one in stoppage time to level the score. Soon, the conversation turned to how football wasn’t a real game, how Belgium restored international law, and how it was two years since nuclear weapons.The change of red card was able to remove the light from the US team that seemed to have found a way to love the sport associated with orange peels, rural women and Ted Lasso. Hopefully, we’ll see a different Team USA than what we’ve seen so far.For now, it will be Spain vs Belgium in the quarterfinals, and while the smart money will be on Spain, Belgium have been known to produce an upset or two.
Argentina vs Egypt
July 7, 9. 30pm ISTThe King vs Maestro. All eyes will be on Argentina as they face Egypt’s Mohamed Salah. The Pharaohs are preparing for a lost season in the World Cup, and Cabo Verde showed that Argentina can bounce back.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) applauds the crowd after the World Cup round of 32 soccer match against Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Fla., Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Military watchLionel Messi he has scored seven goals in the World Cup so far, competing with next-generation stars Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland for the Golden Boot. But more than scoring, Argentina is built around Messi, and that’s where the problem lies.Mohamed Salah may not be 100%, but the King can only choose the time.Military policyThe Argentinian’s best style is when he gradually tightens his nose around the opposition until Messi finds a gap between the players and the defence. Against Cape Verde, they failed to force a defeat. Defensively, Argentina will look to stop free passes for Marmoush or Salah.Meanwhile, Egypt must find stability and composure in Argentina’s game. The ideal plan is a medium to low block and picking off the Argentinian defenders.The main battle will be on Egypt’s right and Argentina’s left, where Tagliafico and Lisandro Martinez will face Salah.Dinner table discussion: Will the Pharaohs be able to seal Argentina’s World Cup hopes inside the pyramid?
Colombia vs Switzerland
July 7, 1.30am ISTColombia vs Switzerland is one of those knockout matches that makes one wonder if it’s worth the wait. Switzerland also entered the knockout stage, while Colombia’s footballers hoped to avoid chaos.
Johan Manzambi (9) of Switzerland celebrates after scoring during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Switzerland and Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Military watchJohan Manzambi has been a regular starter for the Swiss competition and has had another successful season for the club, helping SC Freiburg reach the Europa League final, where they lost to Aston Villa. Manzambi was selected as the young player in the Europa League and has three goals and two assists so far. Luis Diaz, on the other hand, has a high level of competition and will be looking to cause an upset in Switzerland.Military policyColombia have conceded just one goal so far and have a dynamic system, with coach Lorenzo leaning on changes in game style and tactical changes. Switzerland, on the other hand, are a stable team, and their success in Algeria was based on the technical development that allowed them to form a modern 4-2-3-1, while Manzambi was given freedom to roam.One talking point is the number of Colombian trips, which have seen them go from Mexico to Miami, Kansas and Vancouver. Switzerland, on the other hand, have managed to play their matches in Vancouver, giving them a slight advantage.Dinner table conversationThe Second Law of Thermodynamics states that in an isolated system, entropy always increases over time. Switzerland (order) vs Colombia (chaos) will tell us if it’s good on the football field.